One of Ireland's longest-running and most successful amateur theatre groups celebrates its 50th anniversary this month with its future more secure than ever.
Gorey Little Theatre Group was established in 1951 when a group of people met in a local hotel with the idea of forming a drama society, and some of the original members remain active in the group today.
A site was purchased in 1957 but this exhausted funds and it was a further 14 years before the new theatre opened its doors with a performance of John B Keane's The Field.
Improvements have been made over the years with local assistance and financial support from Wexford County Council, but now major renovations are planned thanks to a £290,000 allocation from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.
A new foyer and dressing rooms as well as more comfortable seating are to be provided, with work due to be completed by early 2003. The group aims to put on two productions a year, the better known being its summer show. Each year a production is put on twice a week for the months of July and August, to entertain locals and holidaymakers.
The second play is produced with drama festivals in mind, and over the years the group has enjoyed considerable success, winning a place in the Athlone finals on 12 occasions and the premier award at the Northern Ireland equivalent at the Belfast Opera House in 1983.
"However competition is not the main focus of the group, drama along with entertainment is," says the group's public relations officer, Ms Clodagh Cecil. Activities range from visiting opera companies and musicals to recitals and workshops, while pantomimes have also become a regular feature.
To celebrate the milestone anniversary, the group is staging The Whiteheaded Boy by Lennox Robinson. The play runs for three nights - October 17th to 19th. Booking inquiries can be made to Clodagh Cecil at 087-2271738.